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Day of sympathy and tributes after murder of Catholic man
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
A steady stream of mourners poured into the Kevin McDaid’s family home all day yesterday.
They flocked to the terraced house at Somerset Drive to express horror and disgust at the heinous sectarian attack on the Coleraine community worker.
And they wanted to show solidarity with the community in the wider Heights, whose residents claim to be “sitting ducks” for loyalist thugs who travel across town intent on violence.
Some well-wishers brought Celtic shirts and scarves emblazoned with heartfelt tributes and tied them to the railing outside Mr McDaid’s terraced house. The mother of one little girl, who was no more than four, described how she had wanted to leave her football top “for Kevin”.
“She just loved him, everyone did,” said the mother as she wrote a message on a tiny yellow football shirt.
Another top read ‘Gone but never forgotten big friend’, while someone else had written ‘You were the best. May justice take hold.’
Others visitors carried flowers and placed them alongside the pink carnations which bore the poignant message: “Loving husband and loving father and number one dad. I will always miss you. Your loving wife. Evelyn.”
All of the police tape which had sealed off the murder scene on Monday was gone, but family and friends formed a protective human shield around the McDaid front door for much of yesterday.
“She has had enough, she’s finding it tough to speak,” Ryan McDaid said of his devastated mother.
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My deepest sympathy to Mrs. McDaid and her family. I understand this murder and attack was done by Protestant thugs with ties to UDA or UD whatever. They are scum and should never see the light of day . People over there do all you can to see these animals get what they deserve. I admire Mrs. McDaid not wanting retaliation, it shows what a lovely family they are. I am Protestant and am feeling very ashamed to be one today.
R.I.P Kevin
Isobel - Canada
Posted by Isobel Carson | 29.05.09, 19:18 GMT
It seems that taking the barricades down was a mistake.
No wonder the Republican movement finds sympathy all over the world, no matter what they have done, while these orange gangs (whether in Ireland, South Africa, or the Southern U.S.) are universally despised, even by themselves. What grievance could they possibly point to to justify attacking a man who worked for peace, and beating up a pregnant woman. This is the action of a culture that is dying. Even Britain doesn't want them anymore.
Posted by Helen | 27.05.09, 18:06 GMT
My sincere condolences to the McDaid family, how very sad. I hope and pray one day we can just love one another be it Catholic or Protestant. R.I.P Kevin.
Posted by Martin | 27.05.09, 15:54 GMT
Me and my Friends feel very sorry what happened to this poor familiy. We are with them in our thoughts. We are praying for peace in northern ireland.
Tina from Germany
Posted by Tina | 27.05.09, 11:26 GMT
this should have never happened as a scots man now living in australia i cant beleave this god bless to his wife and kids
Posted by edward | 27.05.09, 10:56 GMT
I am saddened by the state our town is in ! I was born & reared here & have no dispute with either catholics or protestants. I know about the trouble & the rotten apples that live in this town WHY have the police never done anything about it. It is always expected that after these football matches, why are the police not in place to prevent this violence.I feel so sorry for the wife & family of Mr.Mc Daid ."it will take someone to die before police take it seriously"
Posted by Anne | 27.05.09, 09:36 GMT
Has a fund been set up in Kevin's name yet? I would really like to do something or contribute in some way.
Posted by Thomas Binkley | 27.05.09, 07:20 GMT